Wisdom inspired by conversations with Willie of the Wellness Center: much like the thrilling days of Rock and Roll, Hip Hop entered its "devil music" phase circa the entry of Snoop Dogg [Lion] et al. In particular, when they set precedent with prolific profanity by degrading people as "Bs and Hs".
Yet there exists a definite counter to the industry standard which bubbles up from the ground up. Though spread out, there certainly are groups and individuals who strive to integrate a positive message into the music, and utilize the medium for community and societal transformation. I'll point to the Hip Hop Congress, 5E Gallery, and Rap for Food as particularly notable organizations. I heard an employee from the East Michigan Environmental Action Council (EMEAC) lay down his verses this evening too. These aren't necessarily religious movements in themselves, but they certainly strive to bring light to their audiences, and I think it's much needed. Utility music (Gebrauchsmusik) is alive and well...
[Whoo! What a bunch of links.]
Edit 18 IX 2012:
I just realized an interesting irony. Rock and Roll, which once was labeled as "devil music", now has its own sub-genre of "Christian Rock". I'm sure there's something out there like "Christian Rap", though I mostly appreciate witnessing the relative clarity of movements and causes emerging in hip hop at this time.
Yet there exists a definite counter to the industry standard which bubbles up from the ground up. Though spread out, there certainly are groups and individuals who strive to integrate a positive message into the music, and utilize the medium for community and societal transformation. I'll point to the Hip Hop Congress, 5E Gallery, and Rap for Food as particularly notable organizations. I heard an employee from the East Michigan Environmental Action Council (EMEAC) lay down his verses this evening too. These aren't necessarily religious movements in themselves, but they certainly strive to bring light to their audiences, and I think it's much needed. Utility music (Gebrauchsmusik) is alive and well...
[Whoo! What a bunch of links.]
Edit 18 IX 2012:
I just realized an interesting irony. Rock and Roll, which once was labeled as "devil music", now has its own sub-genre of "Christian Rock". I'm sure there's something out there like "Christian Rap", though I mostly appreciate witnessing the relative clarity of movements and causes emerging in hip hop at this time.
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